Health care of draught animals

                                                   
Health is a state of well-being  that is important  for optimum productivity  or draught  power. It is not merely  freedom  from  diseases as  some  animals can remain apparently  healthy even carrying sub-clinical diseases.

Vaccination is the administration of a biological product of a  disease-causing  agent   to an animal in order  to create resistance( immunity) to that disease. The immunity  varies from a few months to several  years  depending on the product.

Inoculation is the administration  of a drug  to an animal in order  to create  unfavorable  conditions  for the disease agents to multiply.

Work animals are used as an alternative source of power and  need careful  attention  and  regular  check-up just like tractors or vehicles. Routine  disease control procedures are the same as for other domestic   animals and  includes vaccination, deworming, dipping/spraying and a daily health check-up.

Prevention of injuries and other disease problems will ensure a  maximum draught animal power output if used together with good nutrition and management. It is important to ensure that draught animals are handled and cared for properly and that the working tools are safe for the animals as well as the operator. Regular exercise of draught animals, especially non-working  is necessary to have animals that are fit for work, with good blood circulation, respiration, and appetite.

Overwork should be avoided as it causes stress to the animal and muscle fatigue that can sometimes lead to poor feed  intake, body weakness and an increased susceptibility to diseases.

Daily health check-up   

For a draught animal to work effectively, it must be healthy. Each morning a farmer is supposed to check his draught animals for any ailment or symptoms of the disease. The following are signs of good health which should be observed daily.

 The animal should have a smooth and shiny coat.
The muzzle should be cool and moist, but not watery or dry.
There should be no ticks, fresh wounds or swellings on the animal skin.

4      The dung and urine should be normal(urine has a beer color, dung is not watery but piles up.

5      The animal should have alert ears, moving  to and from,

6      The eyes should be clear and bright.

7     The animal should not show a rapid loss of condition.

8     An animal that has been lying for some times normally stretches its rear and front legs, and pass dung when it gets up.

9      It should chew the cud and breath normally

1     It should be walking normally

1    The appetite must be good.      

Although these points may not be obvious at one observation, any change can be noticed consequently. A routine supplement of concentrate, mineral or even salt lick should be offered at the time of health check-up to accustom the animal to handling.

Signs of sickness of  an animal are:

                                                         i.            A running nose, often it coughs and breathes rapidly. If a rested ox has a breathing rate of over 15 respiration per minute, the rate is high and is indicative of a disease.

                                                       ii.            Lack of appetite(anorexia), excessive salivation or smacking of lips.

                                                      iii.            A dirty tail and rump which is a sign of diarrhea.

                                                     iv.            Solitary attitude.

                                                       v.            Reluctance to work.

                                                     vi.            Swelling in the joints, carrying foot off the ground or limping.

                                                    vii.            Eyes may be dull, swollen or even watering.

                                                  viii.            Dry skin and rough coat.

                                                     ix.            Dry muzzle.

If a draught animal is sick, it must be rested and given good feed and  plenty of water . It should be separated from other animals. A thorough inspection should be conducted to establish the problem and possible causes of the disease. The animal should then be given first aid care and if it does not improve, assistance should be sought from a nearby veterinarian.